Sett in an Adirondack summer camp, Liz Moore's "The God of the Woods" is a clever mix of family drama and crime thriller. Moore's most ambitious book yet weaves together the lives and secrets of a wealthy family and the people who work in the blue-collar town they live in, creating a mystery and emotional story that readers will find hard to put down.
Early in the morning in August 1975, camp director Louise finds that 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar has gone missing from her bunk at Camp Emerson. Barb is not like other campers; she is the daughter of the camp's owners and an important person in the small town. The Van Laar family has been through tragedy before. Barbara's older brother, Bear, went missing from the same camp 14 years ago and was never found.
Moore creates a nostalgic and scary mood, capturing the essence of summer camp life while teasing the evil that lies beneath. When Barbara goes missing, it shocks everyone in the camp and the nearby village of Shattuck. This starts a mad search that reveals long-buried secrets.
The New York Times said that as the story goes on, Moore digs into the complicated relationships between the Van Laar family and the people in the neighborhood. Barbara's parents, Peter and Alice Van Laar, are tragically messed up. With Peter's mean behavior toward Alice and her own trauma and drug abuse, the household lacks warmth and connection, which differs from Alice's close bond with her late son, Bear. Her relationship with Barbara is tense, marked by criticism and emotional space.
The book also presents Judy Luptack, a young and determined assistant police officer who will not give up, even though her male coworkers doubt her skills. Judy's determination and new point of view add a new dimension to the case, calling into question the accepted stories and revealing unpleasant truths about the Van Laars and their impact.
Moore does a great job of balancing family drama with crime thriller elements. There is a local legend about a serial killer named Jacob Sluiter who just recently got away from jail, which adds to the fear and speculation. Many people in the community think Sluiter has something to do with Bear and Barbara's disappearances, making things tense and creepy.
It is easy to get lost in the bonds and interactions at Camp Emerson. The bond between Barbara and Tracy, her bunkmate, is especially moving. It shows how strong relationships and personal growth are at summer camp. Tracy is awkward and wants to connect with others, while Barbara is independent and sure of herself. This contrasts with the novel's central themes of identity and belonging.
According to Kirkus Reviews, Moore's story is expansive and complicated, with each character and chapter adding to the whole. She shows the Van Laars family as wealthy but deeply flawed, making readers feel both sorry for and disgusted by them. The people of Shattuck, especially those helping to look for the lost children, are shown to be warm and strong, contrasting with the Van Laars' cold demeanor.
Some details, such as Barbara's interest in punk rock before it became popular, might raise some questions, but these small complaints do not diminish the book's impact. Moore's vivid writing and deep understanding of how people feel make this book stand out and stay with the readers long after reading it.
Moore's story is haunting and beautiful. It mixes the types of stories she usually writes - crime and family drama. Fans of character-driven stories should read this book because it is interesting and makes readers feel things.
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